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Messina: Why Obama won

Now, key Republicans are circling back to this argument: Legalizing undocumented immigrants will make them pay more taxes, earn higher wages and bring an underground demographic of workers into the official American economy. And, Republicans hope, new voters who might sympathize with the GOP agenda on social and economic issues.

Not surprisingly, Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.), the son of Cuban immigrants and a possible 2016 presidential prospect, is leading his party’s effort to reframe the debate.

“Our goal is not to make rich people poorer,” Rubio said in an interview with POLITICO. “It is to make poor people richer, make all Americans more prosperous. And I think immigration is a part of that. … In order for this economy to grow dynamically, this country is going to need a 21st century legal immigration system.”

In recasting the debate to be about economics, these Republicans are sending a clear signal that they’re siding with the business arm of the GOP rather than the immigration hawks who appeal more to raw emotion when it comes to undocumented immigrants. It remains to be seen if the Rubio wing of the GOP can blow past the Rep. Steve King (R-Iowa) wing of the party on immigration — not to mention the criticism Republicans will hear from conservative talk radio.

But the new push is really just a reflection of cold demographic reality. The morning after the election, GOP leaders immediately called for their party to engage in efforts to broaden its appeal to women and minorities, and especially Latinos.

“I don’t think we’re having Republicans come to the table out of the goodness of their heart. It’s political expediency, it’s reality bites; that demographic is not going away,” Rep. Raul Grijalva (D-Ariz.), who represents a district along the U.S.-Mexico border, told POLITICO.

“It’s going to increase every election cycle and they can’t afford to keep hemorrhaging.”

Serious negotiations on a comprehensive immigration bill aren’t likely to begin until after the new year.

But already, Democrats and Republicans on both sides of the Capitol have been holding behind-the-scenes talks about where the two sides can agree, lawmakers said. Speaker John Boehner (R-Ohio) has also said he wants to take up immigration reform.

What a comprehensive immigration bill will look like — and how Congress plans to get there — differs depending on whom you ask.

Looks like more presents are coming down the pike from the Santa Claus government. The sleigh is replete and overflowing with all sort of goodies created by the hardworking and taxpaying elves. The list has been made and has been checked twice. He knows which voters, unions, and rich corporate donors have been naughty and nice.

Aside from Graham's silly notion that he's going to get the 14th Amendment repealed, which is just in the talking points for the benefit of the base to make it look like the GOP isn't caving in on the issue at all, this is a positive development. The good thing about this is that any poison pills the xenophobes within the GOP try to insert into the legislation will be immediately spotlighted.

So this is likely to be good, efficient reform with a fast and clear path to citizenship.

As a native Texan, I can tell you that it is not really the border state Republican's who are hard core about immigration. It always seemed to me to be the out of staters.

Remember when Perry was ripped to shreds for the Texas Legislatures unanimous decision to give in state tuition to the children of illegals? Did I mention it was just about unanimous?

The Republican party is not racist, but somehow the Democrats, being the kind hearted open minded "Enlightened" bunch they are, have successfully perpetuated this myth and Republicans have blindly played into the perspective.

"As a native Texan, I can tell you that it is not really the border state Republican's who are hard core about immigration. It always seemed to me to be the out of staters.

Remember when Perry was ripped to shreds for the Texas Legislatures unanimous decision to give in state tuition to the children of illegals? Did I mention it was just about unanimous?

The Republican party is not racist, but somehow the Democrats, being the kind hearted open minded "Enlightened" bunch they are, have successfully perpetuated this myth and Republicans have blindly played into the perspective."

I've never considered the Texas GOP to be xenophobic on the issue of immigration, despite the fact that I'm a Democrat. Bush and Rove's immigration plans were actually pretty good, and neither Texas nor Florida passed the sort of idiot racist legislation that the Republicans in Arizona and Georgia rammed through. I think that, for historical reasons, the GOP in New Mexico, Texas, and Florida understand the actual issue somewhat better.

At this point the immigration reform with a path to citizenship is a foregone conclusion, and I hope that it can go through with both Democratic and Republican support.

I just got paid $6784 working off my laptop this month. And if you think that's cool, my divorced friend has twin toddlers and made over $9k her first month. It feels so good making so much money when other people have to work for so much less. This is what I do, cloud68.com

Romney, ironically, showed leaders of the Republican the way forward to political success: impersonate President Obama. Follow his lead. That's what Romney decided to do in the first debate: "I love teachers. Government regulations are good and needed. I won't cut taxes for the rich, but I will cut taxes for the middle class." Only then did Romney begin to surge in the polls. He had been losing by growing margins -- double digits in some swing states. And so on he went through three debates, following Obama's lead. That allowed him to make a closer race of it. Now, so it seems, Republicans have taken notes and are following Romney's lead. Raising revenues is important in a balanced approach in moving toward balanced budgets and paying down the national debt without hurting job growth. Now, comprehensive immigration reform is needed and needed soon. We can only hope they continue along these lines. Maybe we'll hear out of Republican mouths such sane, compassionate things as: Providing thirty million Americans access to affordable health insurance and better healthcare is a good thing. Global warming is real and must be combated successfully. Investing in renewable energy resources and technology is the long-term answer to our energy problems and a key to our economic leadership in the twenty-first century.

Why can't we just copy the Mexican law and apply it - Would we give violators free phones, free medical, free housing and free babies to vote for El Presidente Calderon! Can I cross now or do I have to swim or slide through the sewer pipe from San Diego south - Who has the right of way those going south or those coming north to collect the bennies from El Presidente Obama?

hey smorrow66 your english is abysmal. what's a "republican's who"? my god with the misplaced possessive apostrophes around here. it's ridiculous. people in this country can barely write anymore. it's basic grammar. a healthy, educated populace is essential to any country's (see that?) long term well-being. allow these immigrants the chance to get educated, get employed, pay taxes and pay their college loans.

Immigration reform my rear end., What we need is immigration ENFORCEMENT. Our current immigration laws work just fine if only we would enforce them. Any kind of leniency or "amnesty" without sealing the borders will only entice another 12 million to sneak in. If we DO make the mistake of giving these illegals a path to citizenship they should be prohibited from voting for at least 15 years,with strict identification requirements to prevent it .It's all about the Hispanic vote and now the Republicans are pandering every bit as bad as the Democrats were.Enough of the panderfest. ENFORCE THE FREAKIN' LAWS and SEAL THE BORDER. If it weren't for pandering for their votes,there would be something on the border that would make the great wall of China look like a picket fence.

Just like those great union workers who are taking over 11 years to rebuild the Towers in N.Y.city at about 3 times over budget. The Empire State building was finished in 11 MONTHS with early 20 th century construction methods.Al Quaida is Alive and Hostess is dead. More power to Wal Mart.